The relationship between FOX and WWE hasn’t exactly worked out as it was originally envisioned, but it appears that there are still moves being made to ensure both sides get the most out of it that they can.
Fightful Select recently shared a detailed look at how the FOX and WWE relationship has gone so far, now two years into the deal that brought Friday Night SmackDown to the network.
According to the report, FOX executives were expecting more when it comes to how many people are tuning into SmackDown each week. While Fightful Select acknowledged the fact that FOX wasn’t too happy, they did stress that it wasn’t as bad as some other outlets have reported throughout the year. As far as the possible conflict with FOX promoting WWE content on NBC’s Peacock platform, one FOX source said the network wasn’t “over the moon” about it, but other sources for both sides said it hasn’t been an issue.
The report also notes that WWE is attempting to make some moves to help appease FOX and improve its relationship with the company. One of these moves include having their return to Los Angeles’ Staples Center be for SmackDown, instead of Monday Night RAW as originally pitched.
It was also revealed that WWE has had lengthy meetings with various high-level executives at FOX in recent months, including a four-hour meeting that included Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks, and FOX Head of Production Brad Zager. A source from the WWE side described that meeting as being productive.
While FOX may be a bit upset over the viewership, the fact that 2020 was a tough year for the entire entertainment industry wasn’t lost on the company. With almost no fans at any shows and WWE trying to navigate through the difficulty that was the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pointed out that WWE SmackDown still remained the most-watched professional wrestling television show in the United States, so it’s unlikely the relationship is going to change any time soon.
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